Please register carefully. Woodcock does not issue refunds.

 

Our dedicated staff continues to work hard to adapt our programs while maintaining high-level protocols that meet and often exceed the guidelines and recommendations laid out by the CDC and CT Office of Early Childhood. While we know that there is no guarantee that our protocols will eliminate the risk of COVID-19, we will continue to adjust to mitigate risks wherever possible. While some of our programs will look different than they have in the past, we are committed to serving our community through nature.

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All policies are subject to change without notice.

 

 

Our Shared Commitment

We are committed to keeping you, your child and our staff safe while at Woodcock and have spent an incredible amount of time planning accordingly. More than ever, we’re counting on your partnership to help protect our staff, program participants and our community. Please consider the behaviors of your family when not at Woodcock and follow the guidelines provided by our state and local authorities. Monitor the health of all family members and please understand any difficult decisions we may have to make regarding attendance.

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Behavior

Good behavior is expected of all participants. We reserve the right to remove any child whose behavior may pose a danger to the health or safety of others. Setting expectations with your child can make a big difference. Parents and caregivers that attend programs are asked to participate in monitoring their child's behavior. This includes modeling appropriate behavior such as staying on the trail, staying with the group, and not talking loudly on phone calls during a program.

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Masks

Masks are not required, however, participants and staff who choose to wear a mask are welcome to do so. 

Woodcock has adopted the “Test-Mask-Go” Protocol. Children with mild respiratory symptoms (i.e., infrequent cough, congestion, runny nose, sore throat, etc.) can continue participating in-person as long as:

• they are fever-free (< 100°F) and feel well enough to participate,

• they do not live with anyone who has had COVID-19 in the past 2 weeks,

• they can wear a mask consistently and correctly indoors

• they test negative for COVID-19 before coming to the program every day they have symptoms, as well as one final test on the morning their symptoms have completely resolved.

Anyone who has any respiratory symptoms should not use the Test-Mask-Go strategy if:

• they have a fever (≥ 100°F) or feel feverish (they should not report in-person until their fever has resolved for at least 24 hours without the use of medication), and/or

• they live with a person who recently tested positive for COVID-19 (within the past 2 weeks).

• Instead, these individuals should stay home until their symptoms resolve and test for COVID-19.

Please refer to the CDC guidelines for appropriate facial coverings. If you or your child are experiencing Covid symptoms, please stay home. If you or your child test positive for Covid after attending one of our programs, please notify our office.

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Dressing for Weather

Our educators may ask you about proper attire when you arrive for programs. We reserve the right to send your child home with you to change or to have you come pick your child up during the program if they are not properly dressed or a change of/additional clothing is needed. See our Dressing for Weather page for more information and tips on dressing appropriately.   

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Drop-off: After School and Enrichment Program

Parents and siblings must remain in the car at all times (except to assist young campers with seat belts). Parents will pull up to the designated drop off point and wait for Staff to approach your vehicle to check-in you child. Children should not exit the car until greeted by Staff. 

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Pick-up: After School and Enrichment Program

Parents and siblings must remain in the car at all times. Parents will pull up to a designated pick-up point and provide their child’s name to their designated group leader. Parents must provide, in advance, the names of approved adults designated to retrieve their child(ren) by emailing us. Parents wishing/needing to speak at length with staff will be directed to a parking spot and must remain in their vehicle unless instructed otherwise.

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Weather & Indoor Time

As always, we’ll be outside as much as possible. Time inside our buildings will be limited to bad weather, animal lessons, bathroom use, and emergency use. Use of our teaching tents and pavilion space will be utilized for certain activities such as opening meetings, crafts, and games. We won’t be canceling unless weather conditions are unsafe to be outdoors for prolonged periods of time (wind chill, low temps, heavy snow, excessive heat, thunderstorms, etc.). See further below for refund policies.

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Refund Policies

We understand that plans change however, as a small non-profit organization, cancellations make it challenging for us to manage our enrollments and plan for programs. Refunds made by request are available up until 5 business days prior to the start of the program. Beyond that, no refunds will be given unless there is a wait-list and the spot can be filled. A processing fee will be deducted from all requested refunds, either $20 or 20% (whichever is less). We do not offer credits for programs/events.

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Children can be transferred from their registered program to another age-appropriate program in the same season provided space is available and the program hasn’t begun yet. If Woodcock must cancel a program due to under-enrollment, registration fees will be refunded in full. There are no make-up days available for missed days due to illness, family obligations, etc. 

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Once a program is underway, if a class day or full program is canceled due to concerns of staff or participant exposure to COVID-19, no refunds will be issued. There will be no refunds for days canceled due to weather concerns however, where possible, for weekly occurring classes one make-up day per program may be scheduled (we are not able to offer 'make-up' days for school break programs or single event programs.) 

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Quarantine & Covid Exposure

Woodcock Nature Center follows COVID guidance from the Wilton Health Department, the Connecticut Department of Public Health and Office of Early Childhood, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If the program participant has been exposed to COVID through other settings (school, other programs, other social events) and is in quarantine, they are not permitted to attend our programs until the mandated quarantine period is complete.  If the participant chooses to test out of quarantine (as described on the CDC's website), you must provide the results of a negative test prior to returning to our onsite program. The exact timing of the test and type of allowable test is also described on the CDC website.  If the program participant tests positive for COVID please do not attend any Woodcock programs. Notify us at wnc@woodcocknaturecenter.org immediately the program participant tests positive after attending one of our programs. If there is a potential COVID-exposure at Woodcock you will be notified as soon as possible via email. Woodcock is required to notify the Wilton Health Department of all COVID cases and provide the names of all potentially exposed individuals. Further communication related to any quarantine periods or testing will be directed by the Health Department.

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Cleanliness

High-touch surfaces, shared items and bathrooms will be disinfected regularly per CDC guidelines. Each group will have access to designated hand sanitizer. Group designated outdoor handwashing stations will also be available during summer programming. Dedicated handwashing breaks will be scheduled where appropriate.

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Personal Hygiene

Participants are encouraged to bring their own hand sanitizer. Educators will require participants to wash or sanitize after sneezing or coughing, before snack, after using the restroom, after touching animals, and throughout the program as necessary. Participants will keep their belongings separate and in their designated “home base” area. No personal items or food are to be shared.

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Illness

A designated indoor area will be reserved for any participant exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 or other illnesses. We reserve the right to send a participant home if there are any concerns related to COVID-19 or other contagious diseases. We ask that all caregivers plan to stay within a 30-mile radius during drop off programs in case an emergency pickup is necessary. Should a participant or staff member become ill with COVID-19 or report exposure, we will notify the CTDPH and the local health department and follow their guidance for quarantine or closure, as appropriate.

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High-Risk Participants

If you or your child are at higher risk for infection or have other issues that may prevent compliance with safety protocols, we recommend that you or your child not participate in our programs. Please review the CDC’s recommendations on people who need to take extra precautions during this time.

 

Medication

If your child has an allergy that requires medication (EpiPen, Benadryl, etc.) or Asthma that requires an inhaler, they will need to bring their medication(s) with them to their program. Paperwork will need to be submitted by a parent/guardian before the start of the program (Authorization for Administration of Medication and Individual Plan or Care). Contact our office to discuss and for the necessary forms.

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Sunblock and Bug Spray

Bug sprays and sunscreen must be applied at home and not during drop-off. You may send your child with their own bug spray and sunblock but they must be able to apply them independently and responsibly. Woodcock staff may not apply sunblock or bug spray to any child.

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Snack

If your program leader indicates that it is appropriate to bring a snack, please send your child with food items that they can open and eat independently. Participants will be spaced 6ft. apart when eating. No personal items or food are to be shared. We are a nut-free facility. Please consider the environment when packing your snack!

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Access to Facilities

Our administrative offices and the nature center will continue to be closed to the public. Please note that our bathrooms are only available to our participants and staff. 

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Scholarships

Nature is for everyone! If your family is experiencing financial need, please visit our Scholarship page here and/or contact us at wnc@woodcocknaturecenter.org.

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Communications

We will keep in close contact with all registered families regarding any changes to programming. Director of Education Sarah Breznen can be reached directly only when afternoon programs are in session at (203) 731-9832. At all other times, please call the office at (203) 762-7280 or email wnc@woodcocknaturecenter.org.

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Disclaimer

All protocols, procedures and policies are subject to change.

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Questions

Should you have additional questions please call (203) 762-7280 or email us at wnc@woodcocknaturecenter.org.

 

Our Advisors

Camp Doctor: Meredith Renda, MD (Doctors' Pediatric)

Medical Advisor & Board Member: Jaimie Meyer, MD, MS, FACP (Infectious Disease Specialist, Yale Medicine)